Global Mpox Outbreaks Highlight Vaccine Challenges

The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated a vaccination campaign against mpox, addressing a severe outbreak responsible for over 80% of Africa's cases and nearly all its deaths this year. This campaign, starting in Goma with 265,000 doses from the EU and US, focuses on adults in at-risk populations and frontline workers. Concurrently, Australia faces its largest mpox outbreak since 2022, with New South Wales reporting 433 cases and most hospitalizations occurring in partially or unvaccinated individuals. Health officials in Australia are urging vaccinations, especially among men who have sex with men and sex workers. The global situation reveals uneven vaccine distribution as Congo anticipates more doses from Japan for children, highlighting challenges in controlling mpox, which spreads through sexual transmission and close contact.